Power management apparatus

ABSTRACT

In a host apparatus having a service function and a host function peculiar to the apparatus together, since means such as an interface section for controlling electric power supplied to a service section and a host section that are both the functions are common to the service section and the host section, it is difficult to turn off the power state of the host function, thus the user substantially cannot control the service function. 
     The host apparatus has an interface section for receiving an input of at least an on command or an off command from the outside, host means connected on a network, a service section for performing a predetermined operation, a power source for supplying electricity at least to the host means and the service section, and power source monitoring section of controlling a state of a power supplies to the host means and the service section.

THIS APPLICATION IS A U.S. NATIONAL PHASE APPLICATION OF PCTINTERNATIONAL APPLICATION PCT/JP00/06340.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a management apparatus and method orthe like for controlling power such that the management apparatus canmake good use of operations for controlling and monitoring apparatusesconnected on a network.

BACKGROUND ART

In recent years, a system has been proposed which connects not onlycomputers and their peripheral equipment but also a plurality ofapparatuses, for example, home electric appliances, audio equipment,VTRs (i.e., video tape recorder) or the like as appliances for home useto the network to control and manage them. Such a system is composed ofa host apparatus, which has a host function and controls otherapparatuses connected to the network, and a target apparatus thatbecomes a target of control of the host apparatus.

FIG. 5 illustrates a configuration of a host apparatus according to aconventional art. In the figure, reference numeral 501 denotes a hostapparatus, 502 denotes a network for connecting to a not-shown externaltarget apparatus, 511 denotes an interface section, 512 denotes aservice section for performing operations peculiar to the host apparatus501, 513 denotes a timer section for performing reserving operations,521 denotes an interface section, 522 denotes a host section havingcommunication, control and other network functions, 524 denotes astorage section for recording a command and other information inputtedfrom a target apparatus via the network 502, 525 denotes a power sourcemonitoring section, 526 denotes a power source and 527 denotes acommunication section. Here, the power source monitoring section 525 andthe power source 526 are means that are commonly used by both theservice section 512 and the host section 522 to receive supply ofelectric power.

In the host apparatus 501 according to the conventional art which hasthe above-mentioned configuration, the service section 512 performsservice operations peculiar to the apparatus, whereas the host section522 performs control or monitoring of a target apparatus connected tothe network 502 as a host of the network 502. In addition, the hostsection 522 is also capable of operating based on a reserved time set inthe timer section 513.

Here, the host apparatus 501 may have a configuration in which the hostsection 522 is positioned as a central function of the apparatus, andthe service section 512 is additionally positioned as a section notspecifically necessary. That is, the service function 512 and the hostfunction 522 are equivalently positioned viewed from the power source526 and the power source monitoring section 525 and do not have a cleardistinction as the target monitored by the power source monitoringsection 525.

However, the conventional host apparatus 501 having such a configurationmay cause inconvenience for a user described below.

FIG. 6 illustrates a power control state transition for explainingoperations of the host apparatus 501. As shown in FIG. 6, if a usersends an instruction 615 for making the power state of the apparatus 501off while the host apparatus 501 is operating (in mode 601), since thepower source monitoring section 525 and the power source 526 arecommonly used by the service section 512 and the host section 522, theservice section 512 and the host section 522 are completely turned off(mode 604) by a single instruction to turn off the power. FIG. 6 alsoillustrates an instruction 617 from mode 604 to mode 601.

Here, even if the user sends the instruction 615 intending to stop onlythe service section 512, since the host section 522 simultaneously stopsat that point, if the host section 522 controls a target apparatusconnected to the network 502 at the time when the instruction 615 issent, it is likely that the control of the target apparatus is stoppedby the stop of the host section 522, which affects the other targetapparatuses connected to the network 502.

Therefore, in a system in which a network is established, since thepower source state of the host apparatus 501 having the host functionsuch as the host section 522 together with the service section 512cannot be turned into the off state 604 and it is not a desirableoperation either, the host apparatus having the service section 512 hasa problem in that operations of the service section cannot be performedas instructed by the user. A similar problem also occurs in the case inwhich the power source section 526 is given a standby function as in acontrol by, for example, a remote controller.

In order to avoid such a problem, a control of the power source statehas to be controlled by configuring a host apparatus to give interfacesections 711 and 721, power source monitoring sections 715 and 725,power supplies 716 and 726 or the like independently to a servicesection 712 and a host section 722, respectively, as in a host apparatus701 shown in FIG. 7 and receiving inputs from the interface sectionsindependently in the service section and the host section. Hostapparatus 701 in FIG. 7 also includes timer section 723, storage section724, and communication section 727. Here, FIG. 8 illustrates a powercontrol state transition in the case in which the host apparatus 701 isused, and as shown in the figure, an operation mode 801 and a stop mode802 of the host section 722 and an operation mode 803 and a stop mode804 of the service section 712 are independent each other, thus the userneeds to perform a control independently with respect to the hostsection 722 and the service section 712 by using the interface section711 and 721.

As described above, according to the above-mentioned conventional art,in the host apparatus 501 having a service function and a host functionpeculiar to the apparatus together, since means such as an interfacesection for controlling electric power supplied to a service section anda host section that are both the functions are common to the servicesection and the host section, it is undesirable to turn off the powerstate of an apparatus having the host function connected to a network,thus the user substantially cannot control the service function.

In addition, a host apparatus 701 having a configuration in which, inorder to give a composited function of a service function and a hostfunction, a service section and a host section that are both thefunctions are independent as in the host apparatus 701, and to give aplurality of means of controlling supply states of electric power toeach function for a user, whereby the service function can be controlledwithout stopping the operations of the host function, but an entireconfiguration and operations of the host apparatus become complicatedand operations with large power consumption and low efficiency areperformed.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been devised in view of the above-mentionedsubject and is to provide a management apparatus or the like having ahost function for performing operations with respect to a network and aservice function for performing other operations, wherein, while meansof switching a state of a power supply which a user can operate directlyis one as in the past, the management apparatus can perform a control ofa state of power supply by the host function and the service functionindividually, make maximum use of operations of control and monitoringwith respect to the other apparatuses connected to the network, andsuppress useless power consumption.

To achieve the above object, one aspect of the present invention is amanagement apparatus, comprising:

an interface section for receiving an input of at least an on command oran off command from the outside;

host means connected on a network;

a service section for performing a predetermined operation;

a power source for supplying electricity at least to said host means andsaid service section; and

power supply controlling means of controlling a state of a powersupplies to said host means and said service section,

characterized in that if said interface section receives an input of anoff command when the power supplies to said host means and said servicemeans are in the on state, said interface section causes said powersupply controlling means to turn the power supply to said servicesection into the off state and checks an operating state of said hostmeans, and if said host means operates, keeps the power supply to saidhost means in the on state by said power supply controlling means.

Further, the 2nd invention of the present invention (corresponding toclaim 2) is the management apparatus according to the above-describedinvention further comprising reserving operation setting means ofreserving an operation of said host means,

characterized in that if said interface section receives an input of anoff command, said interface section checks an operating state of saidhost means and a reservation state of said reserving operation settingmeans,

if said host means does not operate and a reservation is made in saidreserving operation setting means, said interface section causes saidpower supply controlling means to turn the power supply to said hostmeans into a standby state, and

if said host means does not operate and a reservation is not made insaid reserving operation setting means, said interface section causessaid power supply controlling means to turn the power supply to saidhost means into the off state.

Further, the 3rd invention of the present invention (corresponding toclaim 3) is the management apparatus according to the above-describedinvention,

characterized in that if said interface section confirms that theoperation of said host means ends, said interface section causes saidpower supply controlling means to turn the power supply to said hostmeans into the off state.

Further, the 4th invention of the present invention (corresponding toclaim 4) is the management apparatus according to the above-describedinvention,

characterized in that said interface section is further capable ofreceiving an input of a standby command,

if said interface section receives an input of the standby command whenthe power supplies to the host means and the service section is in theon state, said interface section causes said power supply controllingmeans to turn the power supply of said service section into a standbystate and checks an operating state of said host means,

if said host means operates, said interface section causes said powersupply controlling means to turn the power supply to said host meansinto the on state, and

if said host means does not operate, said interface section causes saidpower supply controlling means to turn the power supplies to saidservice section and said host means into a standby state.

Further, the 5th invention of the present invention (corresponding toclaim 5) is the management apparatus according to the above-describedinvention,

characterized in that if said interface section confirms that anoperation of said host means ends, said interface section causes saidpower supply controlling means to turn the power supply of said hostmeans into the standby state.

Further, the 6th invention of the present invention (corresponding claim6) is the management apparatus according to the above-describedinvention, further comprising reserving operation setting means ofreserving an operation of said host means,

characterized in that if a reserved time set in said reserving operationsetting means comes or if said interface section receives a command torelease the standby command, said interface section causes said powersupply controlling means to turn the power supply to said host meansinto the on state.

Further, the 7th invention of the present invention (corresponding toclaim 7) is the management apparatus according to the above-describedinvention,

characterized in that if said interface section receives an input of anon command, said interface section causes said power controlling meansto turn power supply states to said service section and said host meansinto the on state.

Further, the 8th invention of the present invention (corresponding toclaim 8) is the management apparatus according to the above-describedinvention,

characterized in that if said interface section receives an input of astandby releasing command, said interface section causes said powercontrol means to turn power supply states to said service section andsaid host means into the on state.

Further, the 9th invention of the present invention (corresponding toclaim 9) is a medium carrying a program and/or data for causing acomputer to execute all or a part of functions of all or a part of meansof the present invention described in any one of the 1st to 8thinventions, characterized in that the medium is processable by acomputer.

Further, the 10th invention of the present invention (corresponding toclaim 10) is an information aggregate, characterized by being a programand/or data for causing a computer to execute all or a part of functionsof all or a part of means of the present invention described in any oneof the 1st to 8th inventions.

Since the management apparatus is configured as described above, it canmake maximum use of operations of control and monitoring with respect tothe other apparatuses connected to the network and suppress uselesspower consumption.

For example, in a power saving switching method of the presentinvention, an apparatus for switching a power source state which a usercan operate directly is one as in the past and has a configuration inwhich states more than two of on and off states are given in order tomanage power source to a host function and a service function peculiarto the apparatus individually.

Moreover, by using the above-mentioned present invention,

a power saving switching method is realized which is characterized byincluding the steps of:

if the power supply to the above-mentioned service section and theabove-mentioned host means are in a normal mode that is the on state andthe above-mentioned interface section has received an instruction toturn the management apparatus into the off state,

 the above-mentioned interface section sending a command to stopoperations to the above-mentioned service section and also sending acommand to check operating states of the above-mentioned host means tothe above-mentioned host means; and

if the above-mentioned host means performs operations with respect tothe above-mentioned network,

the above-mentioned power supply controlling means transitioning to afirst wait mode (host mode) for turning the power supply to theabove-mentioned service section into the off state.

In addition, by using the above-mentioned present invention, a powersaving switching method is realized which is characterized by includingthe steps of:

if the above-mentioned host means does not perform operations withrespect to the above-mentioned network and an reservation is not made inthe above-mentioned reserving operation setting means in theabove-mentioned host mode of the above-mentioned power saving switchingmethod,

the above-mentioned power supply controlling means transitioning to asecond wait mode (downmode) for turning both the power supplies to theabove-mentioned service section and the above-mentioned host means intothe off state.

In addition, by using the above-mentioned present invention,

a power saving switching method is realized which is characterized byincluding the steps of:

when the above-mentioned interface section receives an input of aninstruction to turn the power state of the above-mentioned managementapparatus into the on state in the above-mentioned host mode of theabove-mentioned power saving switching method,

 the above-mentioned power supply controlling means turning the powersupply state of the above-mentioned service section into on; and

the above-mentioned interface section sending a command to startoperations to the above-mentioned service section and theabove-mentioned service section transitioning to the above-mentionednormal mode for operating with an already operating host means.

Moreover, by using the above-mentioned present invention,

a power saving switching method is realized which is characterized byincluding the steps of:

if the power supplies to the above-mentioned service section and theabove-mentioned host means are in the normal mode that is the on stateand the above-mentioned interface section has received an instruction toturn the management apparatus into the off state,

 the above-mentioned interface section sending a command to stopoperations to the above-mentioned service section and also sending acommand to check operating states of the above-mentioned host means tothe above-mentioned host means; and

if the above-mentioned host means does not perform operations withrespect to the above-mentioned network and a reservation is made in theabove-mentioned reserving operation setting means,

the power supply control means transitioning to a third wait mode (hoststandby mode) for turning the power supply to the service section intothe off state and also turning the power supply to the host means intothe standby state.

In addition, by using the above-mentioned present invention,

a power saving switching method is realized which is characterized byincluding the steps of:

if the above-mentioned host means reached a time when operations withrespect to the above-mentioned network is started based on a reservationmade in the above-mentioned reserving operation setting means in theabove-mentioned host standby mode of the above-mentioned power savingswitching method,

the above-mentioned power supply controlling means transitioning to thehost mode for turning the power supply to the host means into the onstate and keeping the power state of the above-mentioned service sectionin the off state.

In addition, by using the above-mentioned present invention,

a power saving switching method is realized which is characterized byincluding the steps of:

if the above-mentioned interface section receives an instruction to turnthe management apparatus into the on state in the above-mentioned hoststandby mode in the above-mentioned power saving switching method, theabove-mentioned power supply controlling means transitioning to theabove-mentioned normal mode for turning both the power supplies to theabove-mentioned host means and the above-mentioned service section intothe on state and the above-mentioned service section performingoperations according to a command from the above-mentioned interfacesection.

Moreover, by using the above-mentioned present invention,

a power saving switching method is realized which is characterized byincluding the steps of:

if the power supplies to the above-mentioned service section and theabove-mentioned host means are in the normal mode that is the on stateand the above-mentioned interface section has received an instruction toturn the above-mentioned management apparatus into the off state,

 the above-mentioned interface section sending a command for stoppingoperations of the above-mentioned service section and checking operatingstates of the above-mentioned host means to the above-mentioned hostmeans; and

if the host means does not perform operations with respect to theabove-mentioned network and the above-mentioned network informationholding means does not hold network reservation information,

the above-mentioned power supply controlling means transitioning to thedown mode for turning both the power supplies to the above-mentionedhost means and the above-mentioned service section into the off state.

In addition, by using the above-mentioned present invention,

a power saving switching method is realized which is characterized byincluding the steps of:

if the above-mentioned interface section receives an instruction to turnthe management apparatus into the on state in the above-mentioned downmode of the above-mentioned power saving switching method,

the above-mentioned power supply controlling means turning the powersupply to the above-mentioned service section into the on state, and theabove-mentioned interface section transitioning to the above-mentionednormal mode for operating the above-mentioned service section andcausing the above-mentioned host means to perform operations withrespect to the above-mentioned network.

Moreover by using the above-mentioned present invention,

a power saving switching method is realized which is characterized byincluding the steps of:

if the power supply to the above-mentioned service section and theabove-mentioned host means is in the normal mode that is the on stateand the above-mentioned interface section receives an instruction toturn the above-mentioned management apparatus into the standby state,

 the above-mentioned interface section sending a command to stopoperations to the above-mentioned service section and also sending acommand to check operating states of the above-mentioned host means tothe above-mentioned host means; and

if the above-mentioned host means confirms that operations with respectto the above-mentioned network are performed, the above-mentioned powersupply controlling means transitioning to a fourth wait mode (servicestandby mode) for turning the power supply to the above-mentioned hostmeans into the on state and turning the power supply to theabove-mentioned service section into the standby mode.

In addition, by using the above-mentioned present invention,

a power saving switching method is realized which is characterized byincluding the steps of:

when the above-mentioned interface section receives an input of aninstruction to turn the above-mentioned management apparatus into theoff state in the above-mentioned service standby mode of theabove-mentioned power saving switching method,

 the above-mentioned interface section sending a command to stopoperations to the above-mentioned service section and also sending acommand to check a power supply state to the above-mentioned host means;and

if the above-mentioned host means performs operations with respect tothe above-mentioned network, the above-mentioned power supplycontrolling means transitioning to the host mode for turning only apower supply of the above-mentioned service section into the off state.

In addition, by using the above-mentioned present invention,

a power saving switching method is realized which is characterized byincluding the steps of:

if the above-mentioned interface section has received an input of aninstruction to turn the above-mentioned management apparatus into astandby releasing mode in the above-mentioned service standby mode ofthe above-mentioned power saving switching method,

 the above-mentioned interface section sending a command to startoperations to the above-mentioned service section; and

the power supply controlling means transitioning to the above-mentionednormal mode for turning both the power supplies to the above-mentionedhost means and the above-mentioned service section into the on state.

Moreover, by using the above-mentioned present invention,

a power saving switching method is realized which is characterized byincluding the steps of:

if the power supplies to the above-mentioned service section and theabove-mentioned host means is in the normal mode that is the on stateand the above-mentioned interface section has received an instruction toturn the above-mentioned management apparatus into the standby state,

 the above-mentioned interface section sending a command to stopoperations of the above-mentioned service section to the above-mentionedservice section and also sending a command to check operating states tothe above-mentioned host means; and

if the above-mentioned host means does not perform operations withrespect to the above-mentioned network and a reservation is made in theabove-mentioned reserving operation setting means, the above-mentionedpower supply controlling means transitioning to a double standby modefor turning both the power supplies to the above-mentioned host meansand the above-mentioned service section.

In addition, by using the above-mentioned present invention,

a power saving switching method is realized which is characterized byincluding the steps of:

when the power supply controlling means has turned the power supply tothe above-mentioned host means into the on state based on thereservation made in the above-mentioned reserving operation settingmeans in the above-mentioned double standby mode of the above-mentionedpower saving switching method,

the above-mentioned power supply controlling means turning the powersupply to the above-mentioned host means into the on state and theabove-mentioned host means transitioning to a service standby mode forstarting operations with respect to the above-mentioned network.

In addition, by using the above-mentioned present invention,

a power saving switching method is realized which is characterized byincluding the steps of:

if the above-mentioned interface section has received an instruction toturn the above-mentioned management apparatus into the standby releasingstate, the above-mentioned interface section sending a command to startoperations to the above-mentioned service section and turning both thepower supplies to the above-mentioned host means and the above-mentionedservice section into the on state to transition to the above-mentionednormal mode.

In addition, by using the above-mentioned present invention,

a power saving switching method is realized which is characterized byincluding the steps of:

if the above-mentioned interface section has received an instruction toturn the above-mentioned management apparatus into the off state in theabove-mentioned double standby mode of the above-mentioned power savingswitching method, the above-mentioned interface section sending acommand to stop operations to the above-mentioned service section andthe above-mentioned power supply controlling means transitioning to thehost standby mode for turning the power supply to the above-mentionedservice section into the off state.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a host apparatusaccording to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a power control state transition of the hostapparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a host apparatusaccording to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a diagram of a power control state transition of the hostapparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of a host apparatusaccording to a conventional art;

FIG. 6 is a diagram of a power control state transition of the hostapparatus according to the conventional art;

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration of a second example of thehost apparatus according to the conventional art;

FIG. 8 is a diagram of a power control state transition of the secondexample of the host apparatus according to the conventional art; and

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of operating a managementapparatus in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS

101, 301 Host Apparatus

102 Network

103, 303 Interface section

104 Service section

105 Host section

106 Power source monitoring section

107 Timer section

108 Storage section

109 Communication section

110 Power source

201 Normal mode

202 Host mode

203 Host standby mode

204 Down mode

211, 212, 213, 214, 215,216, 217, 218,411, 412, 413, 414, 415, 416, 417,418, 419 State transition

303 a Remote controller

401 Service standby mode

402 Double standby mode

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention will be hereinafter described.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a host apparatusaccording to a first embodiment of the present invention. In the figure,reference numeral 101 denotes a host apparatus, 102 denotes a networkfor connecting to a not-shown external target apparatus, 103 denotes aninterface section, 104 denotes a service section for performingoperations peculiar to the host apparatus, 105 denotes a host sectionhaving communication, control and other network functions, 106 denotes apower source monitoring section for monitoring and controlling powersource states of the service section 104 and the host section 105, 107denotes a timer section connected to the host section 105, the powersource monitoring section 106 and the storage section 108, 108 denotes astorage section for recording a command and other information inputtedfrom a target apparatus via a network 102, 109 denotes a communicationsection for performing communication with the not-shown target apparatusconnected to the network 102, and 110 denotes a power source. However,concerning the above-mentioned each section, the interface section 103,the timer section 107, the storage section 108 and the communicationsection 109 can receive supply of electricity by the power source 110 orother arbitrary methods. A user can only change a power source state viathe interface section 303, and only one interface section 303 isprovided in one host apparatus 101.

Further, in the above-mentioned configuration, the host apparatus 101 isan example of a management apparatus of the present invention, the hostsection 105 and the communication section 109 are examples of host meansof the present invention, the power source monitoring section 106 is anexample of power supply control means of the present invention, and thetimer section 107 and the storage section 108 are examples of reservingoperation setting means of the present invention.

Next, FIG. 2 is a diagram of a power control state transition inoperations of this first embodiment. Using these two figures, operationsof the host apparatus according to this embodiment will be describedwith reference to each mode and conditions of a state transition betweeneach mode and a power saving switching method using the presentinvention will also be described.

First, in the normal mode 201 shown in FIG. 2, the service section 104and the host section 105 receive a power supply from the power source110 via the power source monitoring section 106, both power sources ofboth the sections are in the on state and each of the sections performspredetermined operations in the host apparatus 101.

Next, when a user issues a command to turn the power state of the hostapparatus 101 into the off state through the interface section 103, theinterface section 103 sends a command to stop services to the servicesection 104, and the service section 104 having received the commandstops the services. Moreover, the service section 104 sends a command tostop services to the power source monitoring section 106, and the powersource monitoring section 106 having received the command stops thepower supply to the service section 104 and turns the power source tothe service section 104 into the off state.

On the other hand, the interface section 103 sends a command to stophost operation receipt to the host section 105, and the host section 105having received the command does not receive an operation reservationanew from a target apparatus connected to the network 102.

Moreover, the interface section 103 sends a command to check a workingstate to the host section 105, and the host section 105 having receivedthe command performs a transition of a mode according to each workingstate to be described below.

A state transition 211 is a transition in the case in which the hostsection 105 performs communication with the target apparatus connectedto the network 102 at the point when the host section 105 receives thecheck command from the interface section 103, and applies a control ormonitoring operation to the target apparatus. At this point, the hostsection 105 continues a control or monitoring operation as it wasbefore. Therefore, the power source monitoring section 106 turns thepower supply to the service section 104 into the off state, whereas thepower source monitoring section 106 holds the power supply to the hostsection in the on state. A state of each power supply of the servicesection 104 and the host section 105 at this point is called a host mode202.

A state transition 213 is a transition in the case in which the hostsection 105 neither performs communication with the target apparatusconnected to the network 102 nor applies a control or monitoringoperation to the target apparatus at the point when the host section 105receives a check command from the interface section 103, but a scheduleof control or monitoring operations in the future have already beenstored in the storage section 108. At this point, the host section 105stops the control or monitoring operation of the target apparatus untila time set in reservation information stored in the storage section 108and transmits the control of the power supply to the power sourcemonitoring section 106. The power source monitoring section 106 havingreceived an instruction from the host section 105 immediately reducesthe power supply to the host section 105 to power sufficient for thehost section 105 to start operations. A state of power supply of thehost section 105 at this point is called a standby state, and a state ofeach power supply of the service section 104 and the host section 105 iscollectively called a host standby mode 202.

A state transition 215 is a transition in the case in which the hostsection 105 does not perform communication, control and monitoringoperations with the target apparatus connected to the network 102 at thepoint when the host section 105 receives a check command from theinterface section 103 and does not store reservation information in thestorage section 108. At this point, the host section 105 transmits thecontrol of the power supply to the power source monitoring section 106.The power monitoring section 106 having received it stops the powersupply to the host section 105 and turns the power supply to the hostsection 105 into the off state. The power supplies to both the servicesection 104 and the host section 105 are in the off state at this stage,and these are collectively called a down mode 204.

Next, control in the host mode 202 will be described.

As described above, the host mode 202 is a mode in which at least thehost section 105 and the power source monitoring section 106 receivepower supplies from the power source 110. The host section 105 performsa transition of a mode according to each working state to be describedbelow.

A state transition 219 is a transition in the case in which the hostsection 105 finishes its operation and does not perform communication,control and monitoring operations with the target apparatus connected tothe network 102 at the point when the host section 105 receives a checkcommand from the interface section 103 and does not store reservationinformation in the storage section 108 and it is substantially the sameas the state transition 215. At this point, the host section 105transmits the control of the power supply to the power source monitoringsection 106. The power source monitoring section 106 having received itstops the power supply to the host section 105, turns the power supplyto the host section 105 into the off state and transitions to the downmode 204.

A state transition 212 is a transition at the time when a user issues acommand to turn the power supply to the host apparatus 101 into the onstate through the interface section 103. At this point, the interfacesection 103 sends a command to start the power supply to the servicesection 104 to the power source monitoring section 106, and the powersource monitoring section 106 having received this command starts thepower supply to the service section 104 and turns the power supply tothe service section 104 into the on state. Moreover, the interfacesection 103 sends a command to start service operations to the servicesection 104, and the service section 104 having received this commandstarts a predetermined service operation.

On the other hand, since the host section 105 has been operatinghitherto and the power supply is in the on state, the power supply hasreturned to a mode in which both the power supplies to the servicesection 104 and the host section 105 are in the on state at this stageand perform predetermined operations, that is, the normal mode 201.

Next, controls in the host standby mode 203 will be described.

As described above, the host standby mode 203 is a mode in the standbystate in which at least the power source monitoring section 106 receivesthe power supply from the power source 110, and the host section 105receives the power supply with the power reduced to a sufficient levelto start operations immediately. At this point, the host section 105performs a transition of a mode according to each working state to bedescribed below.

A state transition 217 is a transition of the following working state.That is, when the time set in the reservation information stored in thestorage section 108 has come, the timer section 107 transmits a commandto start a complete power supply to the host section 105. The powersource monitoring section 106 resumes the complete power supply to thehost section 105 and turns the power supply to the host section 105 intothe on state.

Moreover, the timer section 107 sends a command to resume the control ormonitoring operation to the host section 105, and the host section 105having received this command executes the control or monitoringoperation of contents set in the reservation information stored in thestorage section 108.

At this stage, the power supply to the service section 104 remains inthe off state and the power supply to the host section 105 is in the onstate, that is, the power supply has transitioned to the host mode 202.

A state transition 214 is a transition at the time when a user issues acommand to turn the host apparatus 101 into the on state through theinterface section 103. At this point, the interface section 103transmits a command to start the power supply to the service section 104to the power source monitoring section 106. The power source monitoringsection 106 having received this command starts the power supply to theservice section 104 and turns the power supply to the service section104 into the on state.

Moreover, the interface section 103 sends a command to start serviceoperations to the service section 104, and the service section 104having received this command starts a predetermined service operation.

On the other hand, the interface section 103 sends a command to starthost operation receipt to the host section 105, and the host section 105having received it starts receipts of operation reservations from thetarget apparatus connected to the network 102.

At a stage when the above-mentioned operations have been performed, boththe power supplies to the service section 104 and the host section 105are in the on state, that is, have returned to the normal mode 201.

Finally, controls in the down mode 204 will be described.

As described above, the down mode 202 is a mode in which at least boththe service section 104 and the host section 105 do not receive a powersupply from the power source 110 through the power source monitoringsection 106, that is, the power source is in the off state. A transitionof a mode in this case is performed as follows.

A state transition 216 is a transition when a user issues a command toturn the host apparatus 101 into the on state through the interfacesection 103. At this point, the interface section 103 sends a command tostart a power supply to the service section 104 to the power sourcemonitoring section 106, and the power source monitoring section 106having received this command starts the power supply to the servicesection 104 and turns the power supply to the service section 104 intothe on state. Moreover, the interface section 103 sends a command tostart service operations to the service section 104, and the servicesection 104 having received this command starts a predetermined serviceoperation.

On the other hand, the interface section 103 sends a command to starthost operation receipt to the host section 105, and the host section 105having received this command starts receipt of operation reservationsfrom the target apparatus connected to the network 102.

At a stage when the above operations have been performed, both the powersupplies to the service section 104 and the host section 105 are in theon state, that is, returned to the normal mode 201.

In this way, according to this embodiment, by controls of an interfacesection and a power source monitoring section, states of power suppliesto a host section and a service section can be independently controlled,respectively, according to an operating state of the host section inresponse to a single input to the interface section by a user.

In addition, the host section can be turned into a standby stateaccording to a reservation of a storage section. Thus, power consumptioncan be reduced in operating the host apparatus.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a host apparatusaccording to a second embodiment of the present invention. In thefigure, reference numerals identical with those in FIG. 1 denotesidentical or equivalent parts, and reference numeral 301 denotes a hostapparatus, 303 denotes an interface section, and 303 a denotes a remotecontroller in the interface section 303.

Concerning the above-mentioned each section, the interface section 303,the timer section 107, the storage section 108 and the communicationsection 109 can receive supply of electricity by the power source 110 orother arbitrary methods. A user can only change a power source state viathe interface section 303, and the interface section 303 has a remotecontroller 303 a for receiving a command of a standby state. However, auser cannot control the host apparatus 301 via the remote controller 303a in the down mode 204 in which both the power supplies to the servicesection 104 and the host section 105 are in the off state.

Next, FIG. 4 is a diagram of a power control state transition inoperations of the second embodiment.

Operations of the host apparatus according to this embodiment will bedescribed with reference to each mode and conditions of a statetransition between each mode and a power saving switching method usingthe present invention will also be described using these two figures,FIGS. 3 and 4. However, parts overlapping with those in the firstembodiment will be omitted, and different points will be described.

First, in the normal mode 201, the service section 104 and the hostsection 105 receive power supplies from the power source 110 via thepower source monitoring section 106 in the host apparatus 301, and thepower supplies to both of them are in the on state and they performpredetermined operations, respectively, as in the first embodiment.

Next, when a user issues a command to turn the host apparatus 301 into astandby state through the remote controller 303 a in the interfacesection 303, the remote controller 303 a sends a command to stopservices to the service section 104, and the service section 104 havingreceived it stops services. Moreover, the service section 104 sends acommand to enter a wait mode to the power source monitoring section 106,and the power source monitoring section 106 reduces a power supply to apower sufficient for the service section 104 to start operationsimmediately and turns the power supply to the service section 104 into astandby state.

On the other hand, the interface section 303 sends a command to stophost operation receipt to the host section 105, and the host section 105having received this command does not receive an operation reservationanew from a target apparatus connected to the network 102.

Moreover, the interface section 103 sends a command to check a workingstate to the host section 105, and the host section 105 having receivedit performs a transition of a mode according to each working state to bedescribed below.

A state transition 411 is a transition in the case in which the hostsection 105 performs communication with the target apparatus connectedto the network 102 and applies a control or monitoring operation to thetarget apparatus at the point when the host section 105 receives a checkcommand from the interface section 303, and at this point, the hostsection 105 continues the control or monitoring operation as before.

Therefore, the power source monitoring section 106 turns the powersource of the service section 104 into the standby state, while keepingthe power supply to the host section 105 on. A state of each powersupply to the service section 104 and the host section 105 at this pointis called a service standby mode 401.

A state transition 413 is a transition in the case in which the hostsection 105 neither performs communication with a target apparatusconnected to the network 102 nor applies a control or monitoringoperations to the target apparatus at the point when the host section105 receives a check command from the interface section 303, but aschedule of future control or monitoring operations has already beenstored in the storage section 108 as reservation information, and in thecase, the host section 105 transmits to the power source monitoringsection 106 to stop the control or monitoring operation of the targetapparatus and suppress the power supply to turn it into the standbystate until a time set in the reservation information stored in thestorage section 108. The power source monitoring section 106 havingreceived this instruction turns the power supply to the host section 105into the standby state.

At this point, the power source monitoring section 106 keeps both thepower supplies to the service section 104 and the host section 105 inthe standby state. A mode in this case is called a double standby mode402.

Next, controls in the service standby mode 401 will be described.

As described above, the service standby mode 401 is a mode in which atleast the power supply to the host section 105 is in the on state andthe power supply to the service section 104 is in the standby state. Atthis point, the host section 105 performs a transition of a modeaccording to working states to be described below.

A state transition 412 is a transition in the case in which a user hassent an instruction to turn the host apparatus 301 into the off statedirectly to the interface section 303 without using the remotecontroller 303 a of the interface section 303. At this point, the hostsection 105 performs communication with a target apparatus connected tothe network 102 and applies a control or monitoring operation to thetarget apparatus.

The interface section 303 sends a command to stop the power supplies tothe service section 104 to the power source monitoring section 106, andthe power source monitoring section 106 having received this commandstops the power supply to the service section 104 and turns the powersupply to the service section 104 into the off state. On the other hand,the host section 105 continues the control or monitoring operation asbefore. Therefore, the power supply has transitioned to a mode in whichthe power source monitoring section 106 turns the power supply to theservice section 104 off while keeping the power supply to the hostsection 105 in the on state, that is, the host mode 202.

A state transition 416 is a transition at the time when a user issued astandby releasing command to release the standby state of the hostapparatus 301 using the remote controller 303 a of the interface section303. At this point, the interface section 303 sends a command to startthe power supply to the service section 104 to the power sourcemonitoring section 106, and the power source monitoring section 106having received this command starts the power supply to the servicesection 104 and turns the power supply to the service section 104 intothe on state. Moreover, the interface section 103 sends a command tostart service operations to the service section 104, and the servicesection 104 having received this command starts a predetermined serviceoperation.

On the other hand, since the host section 105 has been operatinghitherto and the power supply is in the on state, the power supply hasreturned to a mode in which both the power source of the service section104 and the host section 105 are in the on state and performspredetermined operations, that is, the normal mode 201 at this stage.

A state transition 419 is a transition at the time when the host section105 finishes the operation and a reservation of monitoring or controlhas not been stored in the storage section 108.

The interface section 303 sends a command to immediately reduce thepower to a level sufficient to start an operation to the host section105 of the power source monitoring section 106, and the power sourcemonitoring section 106 having received this command reduces the powersupply to the host section 105 and turns the power supply to the hostsection 105 into the standby state. Therefore, the power supply hastransitioned to a mode in which the power source monitoring section 106keeps both the power supply to the service section 104 and the hostsection 105 in the standby state, that is, the double standby mode 402.

Next, controls in the double standby mode 402 will be described.

As describe above, the double standby mode 402 is a mode in the standbystate in which at least the power source monitoring section 106 receivesthe power supply from the power source 110 and both the power sources ofthe service section 104 and the host section 105 are reduced to a powersufficient to start an operation. The host section 105 at this pointperforms a transition of a mode according to a working state to bedescribed below.

A state transition 414 is a transition at the time when a user hasissued a command to turn the host apparatus 301 into the off statethrough the interface section 303. At this point, the interface section303 transmits a command to stop the power supply to the service section104 to the power source monitoring section 106. The power sourcemonitoring section 106 having received this command stops the powersupply to the service section 104 and turns the power supply to theservice section 104 into the off state. On the other hand, the interfacesection 303 sends a command to check a working state to the host section105, and the host section 105 having received it performs a transitionof a mode according to each working state to e described below.

If the host section 105 neither performs communication with a targetapparatus connected to the network 102 nor applies a control ormonitoring operation to the target apparatus at the point when the hostsection 105 receives a check command from the interface section 303, butschedules of control or monitoring operations in the future have alreadybeen stored in the storage section 108 as reservation information, thestandby information is retained while the power source of the hostsection 105 being kept as before.

Therefore, at the stage in which the above operations have beenperformed, the power supply has transitioned to a mode in which thepower source of the service section 104 keeps the off state and thepower source of the host section 105 keeps the standby state, that is,the host standby mode 203.

A state transition 418 is a transition in the case in which reservationinformation is not stored in the storage section 108, and the powersupply transitions to the down mode 204 in which an input state to thehost section 105 is in the off state and both the power supplies to theservice section 104 and the host section 105 are turned into the offstate.

A state transition 415 is a transition to of the following workingstates. That is, the timer section 107 transmits a command to start acomplete power supply to the host section 105 to the power sourcemonitoring section 106 when a time set in reservation information storedin the storage section 108 has come. The power source monitoring section106 having received this command resumes the complete power supply tothe host section 105 and turns the power supply to the host section 105into the on state.

Moreover, the timer section 107 sends a command to resume the control ormonitoring operations to the host section 105, and the host sectionhaving received this command executes the control and monitoringoperation of contents set in the reservation information stored in thestorage section 108.

At this stage, since the power supply to the service section 104 is keptin the standby state and the power supply to the host section 105 is inthe on state, the power supplies has transitioned to the service standbymode 401.

A state transition 417 is a transition at the time when a user sends astandby releasing command to the host apparatus 301 through the remotecontroller 303 a of the interface section 303. At this point, theinterface section 303 sends a command to start the power supplies to theservice section 104 and the host section 105 to the power sourcemonitoring section 106, and the power source monitoring section 106having received this command starts the power supplies to the servicesection 104 and the host section 105 and turns the power supplies to theservice section 104 and the host section 105 into the on state.Moreover, the interface section 303 sends a command to start serviceoperations to the service section 104, and the service section 104having received this command starts a predetermined service operation.In addition, the interface section 303 sends a command to resume thehost operation to the host section 105, and the host section 105 havingreceived this command receives an operation reservation from a targetapparatus connected to the network 102.

At this stage, the power supplies to both the service section 104 andthe host section 105 are in the on state, and the power supplies hasreturned to a mode in which the service section 104 and the host section105 perform predetermined operations, that is normal mode 201.

In this way, according to this embodiment, an interface section iscaused to receive a command of a standby state, whereby a servicesection can be turned into the standby state in addition to a hostsection by controls of the interface section and a power sourcemonitoring section. Thus, power consumption can be reduced in operatinga host apparatus and a flexible operation of the host apparatus becomespossible.

Further, the reserving operation setting means of the present inventionhas been described as the timer section and the storage section of theembodiment, but it is not limited to this and may be realized in anyother configurations as long as it manages information of a targetapparatus and host means to cause the host means to perform areservation operation.

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of operating a managementapparatus including an interface section for receiving an input of atleast an on command or an off command from a network, a host section forproviding connection between the management apparatus and the network,and a service section for performing at least one predeterminedoperation of the management apparatus. At step 900, a determination ismade as to whether an off command has been received by the interfacesection (See also the description of normal mode 201 with respect toFIG. 2). At step 902, operation is conducted in a first mode if no offcommand has been received by the interface section, where the first modeincludes providing operational level power to the service section andthe host section at step 904 (See also the description of normal mode201 with respect to FIG. 2). At step 912, operation is conducted in asecond mode if an off command has been received by the interfacesection, where the second mode including stopping operations of theservice section and shutting off power to the service section at step914, stopping reception of reservations by the host section forconducting operations with target apparatuses at step 916, and checkingan operational state of the host section at step 918 (See also thedescription of normal mode 201 and state transition 211 with respect toFIG. 2). At step 920 operational level power to the host section ismaintained if the checking step of the second mode indicates that thehost section is communicating with a target apparatus (See also thedescription of state transition 211 with respect to FIG. 2). At step922, a power level to the host section is reduced if the checking stepof the second mode indicates that a communication between the hostsection and a target apparatus is scheduled, but not active (See alsothe description of state transition 213 with respect to FIG. 2).

In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiments, although operations ofa host section have been described to be performed as communication,control and monitoring operations with the other target apparatusesconnected to a network, the host means of the present invention is notlimited to this and may be any means as long as it is connected to anexternal network to perform operations, for example, may be caused toreceive an external control input.

In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiments, although any of thehost apparatuses has been described as having the timer section 107 andthe storage section 108, the present invention may have a configurationwithout reserving operation setting means, examples of which are timersection 107 and the storage section 108, in which case, operationswithout the host standby mode 203 and a state transition are performedin the above-mentioned embodiments.

Further, although the host apparatus as embodiments of a managementapparatus of the present invention has been described in theabove-mentioned descriptions, the present invention may be realized as amedium carrying a program and/or data for causing a computer to executeall or a part of functions of all or a part of means of theabove-mentioned present invention, and a medium that is computerreadable and the above-mentioned program and/or data read from whichexecute the above-mentioned functions in cooperation with theabove-mentioned computer.

In addition, the present invention may be realized as an informationaggregate that is characterized by being a program and/or data forcausing a computer to execute a part of functions or a part of means ofthe above-mentioned present invention and executing the above-mentionedfunctions in cooperation with the above-mentioned computer.

In addition, in the above-mentioned description, the data includes adata structure, a data format, a type of data or the like. In addition,the medium includes a recording medium such as a ROM, a transfer mediumsuch as the Internet, or a transfer medium such as light, electric wave,sonic wave or the like. In addition, the carries medium includes, forexample, a recording medium recording a program and/or data recordedthereon and a transfer medium for transferring a program and/or data.

Moreover, processable by a computer means readable by a computer, forexample, in the case of a recording medium such as a ROM and includesthat a program and/or data to be an object of transfer can be handled bya computer as a result of transfer in the case of a transfer medium, andthe information aggregate includes software such as a program and/ordata.

Therefore, as described above, the configuration of the presentinvention may be realized as software or may be realized as hardware.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As described above, according to the present invention, a host functionfor a network control and a service function independent from thenetwork control are individually applied a power control in operation ofan apparatus operating on a network, whereby useless consumed power ofthe entire apparatus can be significantly reduced.

What is claimed is:
 1. A management apparatus, comprising: an interfacesection for receiving an input of at least an on command or an offcommand from the outside; host means of providing connection between themanagement apparatus and a network; a service section for performing atleast one predetermined operation; a power source for supplying power atleast to said host means and said service section; and power supplycontrolling means of controlling the power source to control a state ofa power supply to said host means and said service section, wherein saidmanagement apparatus is configured to operate in a first mode in theabsence of the off command such that said power source provides thepower supply to said service section and said host means at anoperational level, said management apparatus being configured to operatein a second mode upon receiving the off command such that said interfacesection sends a command to the service section to stop performing the atleast one predetermined operation and said power supply controllingmeans turns power to the service section off, said interface sectionbeing configured to send a command to said host means to stop receivingreservations for conducting operations with target apparatuses connectedto the network in said second mode, and the interface section checks anoperational state of the host means in said second mode, wherein if saidchecked operational state corresponds to said host means communicatingwith a target apparatus connected to the network, a power supply to thehost means is maintained at an operational level such thatcommunications between said host means and said target apparatuscontinue, and wherein if said checked operational state corresponds to astorage section of the management apparatus including a schedule offuture communications to be conducted between the host means and atarget apparatus connected to the network, but not an activecommunication between the host means and the target apparatus, the powersupply to the host means is reduced by the power supply controllingmeans to a level between said operational level and an unenergizedlevel.
 2. The management apparatus according to claim 1, furthercomprising reserving operation setting means of reserving an operationof said host means, characterized in that if said interface sectionreceives an input of an off command, said interface section checks anoperating state of said host means and a reservation state of saidreserving operation setting means, if said host means does not operateand a reservation is made in said reserving operation setting means,said interface section causes said power supply controlling means toturn the power supply to said host means into a standby state, and ifsaid host means does not operate and a reservation is not made in saidreserving operation setting means, said interface section causes saidpower supply controlling means to turn the power supply to said hostmeans into an off state.
 3. The management apparatus according to claim1, characterized in that if said interface section confirms that theoperation of said host means ends, said interface section causes saidpower supply controlling means to turn the power supply to said hostmeans into an off state.
 4. The management apparatus according to claim1, characterized in that said interface section is further capable ofreceiving an input of a standby command, if said interface sectionreceives an input of the standby command when the power supply to thehost means and the service section is in an on state, said interfacesection causes said power supply controlling means to turn the powersupply of said service section into a standby state and checks anoperating state of said host means, if said host means operates, saidinterface section causes said power supply controlling means to turn thepower supply to said host means into the on state, and if said hostmeans does not operate, said interface section causes said power supplycontrolling means to turn the power supply to said service section andsaid host means into the standby state.
 5. The management apparatusaccording to claim 4, characterized in that if said interface sectionconfirms that an operation of said host means ends, said interfacesection causes said power supply controlling means to turn the powersupply of said host means into the standby state.
 6. The managementapparatus according to claim 4, further comprising reserving operationsetting means of reserving an operation of said host means,characterized in that if a reserved time set in said reserving operationsetting means comes or if said interface section receives a command torelease the standby command, said interface section causes said powersupply controlling means to turn the power supply to said host meansinto the on state.
 7. The management apparatus according to any one ofclaims 1 to 3, characterized in that if said interface section receivesan input of an on command, said interface section causes said powercontrolling means to turn power supply to said service section and saidhost means into an on state.
 8. A medium carrying a program and/or datafor causing a computer to execute a part of functions or a part of meansof the present invention described in any one of claims 1 to 5,characterized in that the medium is processable by a computer.
 9. Aninformation aggregate, characterized by being data for causing acomputer to execute a part of functions or a part of means of thepresent invention described in any one of claims 1 to
 5. 10. Aninformation aggregate, characterized by being a program for causing acomputer to execute a part of functions or a part of means of thepresent invention described in any one of claims 1 to
 6. 11. A method ofoperating a management apparatus including an interface section forreceiving an input of at least an on command or an off command from anetwork, a host section for providing connection between the managementapparatus and the network, and a service section for performing at leastone predetermined operation of the management apparatus, said methodcomprising the steps of: determining whether an off command has beenreceived by the interface section; operating in a first mode if no offcommand has been received by the interface section, the first modeincluding providing operational level power to the service section andthe host section; operating in a second mode if an off command has beenreceived by the interface section, the second mode including stoppingoperations of the service section and shutting off power to the servicesection, stopping reception of reservations by the host section forconducting operations with target apparatuses, and checking anoperational; maintaining operational level power to the host section ifsaid checking step of the second mode indicates that the host section iscommunicating with a target apparatus; and reducing a power level to thehost section if said checking step of the second mode indicates that acommunication between the host section and a target apparatus isscheduled, but not active.